The morning after the King's rampage, the noble families of the kingdom woke up in collective horror.



The entire capital was in chaos over what had happened the night before.



The War King—the man who had butchered armies, crushed rebellions, and seized the throne with his own hands—had personally led an entire operation over a maid.



A. Maid.



At a secret emergency gathering, the highest-ranking nobles sat in tense silence. Some looked pale. Others kept nervously adjusting their coats. One man was sweating so hard it looked like he had taken a bath in his own fear.



Duke Grimaldi, the senior noble who had somehow survived four political purges, sighed sharply.



"A single maid." His voice was grim. "And he massacred an entire criminal ring for her."



A noblewoman, clutching her pearls, nodded frantically.



"Not just that! He interrogated nobles! He raided homes!"



Lord Everette, whose house had barely avoided getting searched, rubbed his temples.



"He left dozens of bodies behind. Even in the slums. Do you understand what this means?"



Silence.



Then—



One noble leaned forward, voice low and fearful.



"It means we cannot afford to cross her."



It was unofficially decided:

1. Thalia Windrose was now the most untouchable maid in the kingdom.

2. The nobles would avoid her at all costs.

3. They would offer her gifts if necessary.



Because the King had never shown such favoritism before. And that was terrifying.



~~~



Meanwhile, back in the palace, I was enjoying my glorious week off.



I had been bathed, dressed in soft pajamas, and given extra pillows.



It was heaven.



But on the second night, something... odd happened.



I was half-asleep, curled up in bed, when I sensed it.



A presence.



Familiar. Strong. Powerful.



And when I cracked one eye open—



I almost screamed.



Standing in the dark corner of my room, watching me silently, was—



The King.



My heart stopped.



I froze, my brain taking a solid five seconds to process.



And then, because I was me, my mouth moved before my brain could stop it.



"...Are you a ghost?"



The King's eyebrow twitched.



Then—



"Go back to sleep, Thalia."



I sat up immediately.



"Wait, WAIT—what are you DOING here?!"



He didn't answer.



He simply stared.



His golden eyes, normally cold and unreadable, looked almost... softer.



Like he was...



Checking on me?



Slowly, I narrowed my eyes.



"...Are you making sure I'm alive?"



The King exhaled sharply.



"I told you to rest."



I gasped dramatically.



"You ARE checking on me!"



A long silence.



Then—



"Goodnight, Thalia."



Before I could say another word, he turned and left.



I stared after him, stunned.



Then I flopped back onto my bed, whispering to myself—



"...Weird."



~~~



By the third day of my leave, I had realized something glorious.



Being a kidnap victim meant I could now milk sympathy for all it was worth.



Thus—



A master plan was born.



I dragged myself to the King's study, moving like a fragile, dying flower.



He barely looked up from his paperwork.



"What now?"



I sighed heavily.



"Your Majesty... I am still so weak."



He blinked.



"You're standing."



"But... barely."



I placed a hand on my chest.



"I have been through so much trauma. I have faced death itself. So... for my recovery... I request..."



I took a deep breath.



"...A whole month off. With full pay. And free snacks."



The King stared.



I stared back.



The air tensed.



And then—



"Denied."



"WHAT?!"



The King sipped his tea.



"Denied."



"But my pain—"



"Denied."



"But my suffering—"



"Denied."



I slammed my hands on his desk.



"THEN WHAT CAN I GET?!"



The King paused.



Then, smoothly—



"You may have an extra biscuit with your tea."



I gasped in betrayal.



"A BISCUIT?!"



He took another slow sip.



"Don't say I never reward you."



===



If there was one last chance I had—



It was puppy eyes.



So, I widened my eyes, trembling slightly, bottom lip quivering.



"But Your Majesty... I'm still hurting..."



The King paused.



His golden eyes flickered slightly.



I could see it.



The hesitation.



He was crumbling.



I pushed harder.



I clutched my elbow.



"My poor, fragile elbow..."



The King exhaled sharply.



"...Fine."



I froze.



"...Fine?"



"You get three more days off. No more."



I gasped.



A victory!



A glorious victory!



And then—



A system notification appeared.



[New Skill Unlocked: Persuasion (Lv.1)]

You now have a slightly higher chance of convincing people to give you what you want (if they have a soft spot for you).



I stared.



Then, slowly—



I grinned.



The King narrowed his eyes.



"...I don't like that look."



I quickly masked my expression.



"Who, me? Your most loyal, hardworking maid?"



The King sighed.



"Get out, Thalia."



I left the study, barely containing my glee.



More days off.



And a new skill.



Life was good.